Launch of Cynthia French’s Barachois
A debut book of poems by the late Cynthia French will be launched on Friday, Oct. 16, at 7pm in the offices of the WFNS.
Many poets find it difficult to get their work published in a lifetime of trying, and it is next to impossible for a poet to be published posthumously, especially if it is her début book.
Cynthia French is that rare poet. She died suddenly of cancer in mid-2023, aged 70, still seeking a publisher for her collection. Her family and friends stepped in to continue her quest, and were successful in finding Askance Publishing of Annapolis Royal, NS.
Titled Barachois for a natural land formation separating a favourite freshwater pond from the saltwater bay in her native Newfoundland, the book begins with sharply-drawn vignettes from French’s childhood and teen years in St. John’s. She describes meeting and marrying the love of her life, beginning their family, moving to Nova Scotia, and eventually settling on a lake in Lunenburg County. This could be the story of anyone, but few could distill the keen moments as French has done, using only the right words and none of the wrong to tell her story. This is the appeal of these poems: they are personal but any reader can relate to the ebb and flow of the author’s life. Cynthia, always a keen student, returned to full-time university studies in her 40s, at the same time as her three children, and graduated BA (Honours) from Mount St. Vincent in 1995. No surprise then that to hone her writing skills she attended writing workshops in places as diverse as Tatamagouche, Fredericton, Sable River, Lockeport, Banff, Sage Hill, Halifax, Mahone Bay, Swift Current (NL), Chile, and Greece.
The book is illustrated with a number of crisp pen-and-ink drawings by award-winning Nova Scotia artist Don Pentz, RCA – an elected member of the Royal Canadian Academy of the Arts, who is also listed on the Honour Roll of Visual Arts Nova Scotia.
In the Foreword, acclaimed Canadian poet and professor, Don McKay, CM, claims that Cynthia French is “one hell of a fine poet.”
Copies are available at the reading, from the publisher, and on Amazon.
Multiple readings—also unusual for books of poetry—are scheduled in Halifax and Lunenburg, NS; in Kingston and Ottawa, ON; and St. John’s, NL – all hosted by the poet’s husband, Les French.
All events feature readings by award-winning, established poets who knew and admired the author. The public is welcome to attend the Halifax event where guest readers will include Sue Goyette, Brian Bartlett and Margo Wheaton.
Light refreshments served.